I2V is the Austrian impulse programme to promote cooperative research and development projects in the area of intermodality and interoperability of transport systems.

The goal is to increase the efficiency of the overall transport system by improving the smooth interoperation of different modes of transport, increasing integration of environmentally sustainable modes of transport and more efficient use of the existing infrastructure. New technologies and system solutions are to be developed and tested, both for goods transport and for passenger transport.

The forecast growth in transport presents the entire transport system with major challenges. Accordingly, the themes of intermodality/co-modality and interoperability of transport systems currently stand right at the top of the agendas in national and international transport policy. In the European Transport White Paper and in its mid-term review, the importance of innovative intermodal transport networks and of the interoperable transport systems needed for this is emphasised.

In the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7), the approach adopted is to link innovation activities in the transport sector with the policy challenges for a sustainable, European, total transport system. The conclusions of the European Council regarding a European energy strategy in the transport sector make reference inter alia to promoting measures across all transport modes for optimal linking of the individual modes of transport. In practical terms, the further growth in transport is to be managed by creating high-performance European transport corridors and increasing the use of intermodal transport chains and integrated routes. In technological terms, it is hoped for instance that the spread of RFID and other possibilities for automating goods logistics will result in a similar technical revolution to that achieved 50 years ago with the introduction of the standard container. The increased use of intermodal transport chains and integrated routes is also intended to make a key contribution to solving transport-related environmental problems in Europe.

In the programme line I2V, encouraging implementation of already-existing Research and Development (R&D) outcomes from the forerunner programme IV2Splus is a major focus, particularly by transferring results from pilot schemes which have already been carried through successfully into flagship projects and thus implementing them as convincing reference applications. Support is also to be given to R&D projects, to the development of new system components and national and international research co-operations, for example under the framework of ERA-NET TRANSPORT.

In recent years, an active research community has developed in Austria in the field of transport telematics. In addition, the country has seen long-standing activities in the area of combined transport and has expertise in integrated transport and logistics solutions. To date, however, there has been relatively little systematic networking between the various research communities involved. Accordingly, one strategic goal of the programme line I2V is to drive forward the systematic integration of what to date has been a relatively fragmented research community under the research priority of intermodality and interoperability.

Calls for proposals for research projects are to be issued annually for the duration of the programme. In addition, the demonstration and real implementation of larger-scale R&D proposals must be promoted in the form of flagship projects, involving developers, producers, users and operators.

Contact

I2V-Programme Responsibility
Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT)
Unit of Mobility und Transport Technologies (III/I4)
1010 Vienna, Renngasse 5

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Sarah Krautsack
phone: +43 (0) 1 711 62 extension 65 3211
e-mail:  sarah.krautsack@bmvit.gv.at  

Programme Management and Funding Procedures
FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency
1090 Vienna, Sensengasse 1

Dr. Christian Pecharda
phone: 05/7755-5030
e-mail:  christian.pecharda@ffg.at

Mag. (FH) Nicole Prikoszovits
phone: 05/7755-5033
e-mail:  nicole.prikoszovits@ffg.at

More details and the documents for submission you will find on the webpage of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency.